| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |
A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1780
A letter, of 10th, from the committee at headquarters was read, enclosing copy of their letter to the states southward of Delaware to Virginia, inclusive, and of their letter to the association of merchants in Philadelphia:1
[Note 1: 1 A draft of this letter is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 39, I, folio 111; it was transcribed in Committee Book. 1780, Proceedings of the Committee appointed on the 13th of April, 1780, folio 28.]
Page 611 | Page image
Ordered, That the same be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the inspectors and directors of the proposed bank in Philadelphia.
The Committee of Commerce laid before Congress a letter, of 13th, from E. Blaine, which was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Joseph Carleton, paymaster to the Board of War and Ordnance, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for ten thousand dollars, for the contingent expences of office; and for which the said Joseph Carleton is to be accountable.
That on the application of Aaron D. Woodruff, clerk in the Secretary's office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for five thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of John M. Jackson, clerk in the Secretary's office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for five thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of Charles Morse, clerk in the Secretary's office, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for six thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
That on the application of Thomas Edison, clerk in the Secretary's office, a warrant issue in his favour, for six thousand dollars, on account of his salary.
The Board Report, That Samuel Patterson Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office for the State of Delaware has repeatedly desired to be discharged from the office aforesaid, that on the fifth day of April last a letter was written to the President of the State aforesaid, acquainting him with the desire aforesaid of Samuel Patterson, and requesting to be informed when his Successor should be appointed, to which letter no answer has been received; That as Samuel Patterson aforesaid continues to urge his Resignation, it appears necessary that his request should be communicated by Congress to the President aforesaid; and the Board beg leave further to
Page 612 | Page image
report, That it is expedient to recommend that in the ensuing choice of a Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of Delaware, a person well qualified with a knowledge of accounts be entrusted with that office, that the accounts may be properly kept, and returns made in due time and form.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 421. It is indorsed: "Passed except the last paragraph July 14, 1780."]
A note from the Board of Admiralty was read, enclosing a commission for Captain Van Dyke:
Ordered, That it be referred back to the Board of Admiralty.
A report from the Board of War on the letter, of 4th, from General Gates, was read.
At a Board of War, July 13, 1780
Present Col Pickering Mr. Peters Col Grayson
The Board having considered the letter from Gen.l. Gates of the 4th inst: referred from Congress, beg leave to observe
That the number of troops required of Virginia, as her quota of the Continental Army is sufficient to furnish commands for two Major Generals and four Brigadiers; and agreeably to the principle which seems to be established, that the troops of each State are to be commanded by General Officers of its own, at least that each State should have General Officers enough to command her own troops, it would appear that Virginia is entitled to promotion for one of her Brigadier Generals, and upon a comparative view of the number of her Gen.l. Officers, with those of most of the other States, Virginia has not at this time her proportion as Congress will observe by the papers referred with the report respecting the demand of Maryland for an augmentation of General Officers. If she gives another Major General to the Army, there will then be room for another Brigadier from her line, in which case, Colonel Morgan being now her eldest Colonel, as appears by the arrangement would clearly be entitled to the promotion. These observations are founded upon a supposition that Virginia will fill up her quota to the establishment--of which Congress can best judge--at present she is greatly deficient. But exclusive of every other consideration, Col. Morgan has great pretensions to promotion from personal merit. He early embarked in the present war, and uniformly distinguished himself as
Page 613 | Page image
an active brave and useful officer. It is now suggested by Genl. Gates' letter that he would be peculiarly serviceable in the southern army, in the command of a select corps of light Troops. Upon the whole the Board submit to Congress the propriety of complying with Gen.1 Gates' request, should they be of opinion that Col.° Morgan should be promoted. The Board beg leave to report
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, IV, folio 432.]
That Col. Daniel Morgan be promoted to the rank of Brigadier in the army of the United States1
According to order,
Congress took into consideration the report of the committee on a memorial of Mr. du Simitière; and thereupon came to the following resolutions:
Whereas Pierre Eugène du Simitière, of the city of Philadelphia, hath, with great industry, and at much expense, collected materials for a literary work to be entitled, "Memoirs and observations on the origin and present state of North America," and hath solicited Congress to grant him encouragement in preparing and publishing the same; and whereas Congress are fully satisfied that a work of this nature will greatly tend to diffuse useful knowledge,
Resolved, That for the encouragement of the said Mr. du Simitière, in carrying on and compleating his said undertaking, it be, and it is hereby recommended to the several states, upon his application, to afford him such assistance as may be most beneficial to him, in rendering his said work compleat and useful.2
[Note 2: 2 Thomson noted in the margin: "July 22. On motion of Mr. [Francis] Kinloch, Ordered, That this be not printed." The resolution was also entered in the manuscript Secret (Domestic) Journal.]
That the sum of two thousand dollars in continental bills or other currency equivalent, be paid yearly to the said Mr. du Simitière for three years, the better to enable him to proceed and finish the same.3
[Note 3: 3 Thomson noted in the margin: "This paragraph upon reconsideration was struck out July 15." The report was delivered Nov. 26, 1779; see ante, vol. XV, p. 1316.]
Page 614 | Page image
A report from the Board of Treasury was read; Whereupon,
Ordered, That on the application of Charles Pettit, assistant quartermaster general, accompanied with an estimate approved by the Board of War, a warrant issue on the Treasurer in his favour, on account of Major General Greene, Q. M. G., for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, to be applied in the department aforesaid, by Francis Wade Deputy Quarter. master General and for which the said Major General Greene is to be accountable.
That on the application of Messrs. [John] Mathews and [Francis] Kinloch, delegates for the State of South Carolina, a warrant issue on the treasurer in their favour, for twenty thousand dollars; for which the said State is to be accountable.
That on the application of Mr. [John] Mathews, in behalf of the committee at headquarters, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for forty thousand dollars, for which the said committee is to be accountable.
That on the application of R. Phillips, steward to the President of Congress, a warrant issue on the treasurer in his favour, for twelve thousand dollars, for the use of the President's household; and for which the said Richard Phillips is to be accountable.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, IV, folio 423.]
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
PREVIOUS SECTION .. NEXT SECTION .. NAVIGATOR
| PREVIOUS | NEXT | NEW SEARCH |